The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Staff Sergeant Thomas G. McMahon (AFSN: 33699918), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight over Germany on 7 April 1945. As waist gunner of a B-17 aircraft, Sergeant McMahon displayed outstanding heroism when his aircraft was set afire by anti-aircraft guns, and a side door escape hatch mechanism was jammed by crew members trying to escape. Without thought for his own safety, Sergeant McMahon held this escape hatch open so that other members of the crew could successful escape. Sergeant McMahon’s heroic sacrifice, in order to save the lives of others, reflects great credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.